The Orange County arts scene recently basked in the spotlight with the second annual ACT Awards, dishing out a record-breaking $4.6 million in grants to 40 local organizations. According to an Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs report, these Cultural Tourism grants, fed by the Tourist Development Tax, have come a long way since four groups shared $471,582 back in 2002.
During a ceremony on February 5, where local arts and culture were earnestly championed, this year's grant recipients were celebrated for their contributions and financial boost. "We are happy to let the broader community know what we are doing, but we are also lifting up the grantees by making a 'big to-do,'" Vicki Landon, administrator for the county's arts and cultural affairs, told the Orange County Newsroom.
At the UCF Rosen School of Hospitality Management event space, 40 diverse organizations marched up the stage to receive their awards, among them were five first-time recipients including Child of this Culture Foundation and Shalom Orlando. Landon expressed particular delight in honoring these newcomers as noted in the official announcement. The evening was alive with performances that illustrated Orange County’s cultural richness, Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda kicked things off, showcasing Puerto Rican musical heritage and the finale was a Bhangra dance by students of the Asian Cultural Association of Central Florida.
The excitement in the air was unmistakable, and grant awardees expressed gratitude. Russell Stephens from the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida told the Orange County Newsroom, "While we always celebrate internally, it's nice to share the moment with our peers and cultural partners." Predictions are that this year's funded projects will draw over 1.9 million attendees and generate upwards of $131 million in economic impact, demonstrating the arts' value beyond the stage, canvas, or screen.
Organizations ready to apply for a cultural tourism grant had to prove their mettle across four criteria: identity, Quality, Implementation, and Tourism. The more they asked for, the tougher the application. With grants ranging from $17,000 to the full $175,000, the program continues to invest in organizations that have grown from humble beginnings to mainstage glory, all in the pursuit of bolstering Orange County's cultural fabric.
